{"id":710843,"date":"2025-11-19T11:41:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T08:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=710843"},"modified":"2025-11-19T11:41:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T08:41:02","slug":"a-space-to-let-your-guard-down-the-story-of-nycs-first-asian-gay-bar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=710843","title":{"rendered":"\u2018A space to let your guard down\u2019: The story of NYC\u2019s first Asian gay bar"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"main-article standard \">\n<div class=\"article-main-content article-wrapper has-media-but-its-an-image\" data-status=\"loaded\" data-primary-article=\"true\" data-url=\"\/art-photography\/article\/69103\/1\/the-web-history-new-yorks-first-asian-gay-bar-nyc-exhibition-photography-zine\" data-article-id=\"69103\">\n<header class=\"article-header has-portrait-image no-media\">\n<div class=\"wrapper dg-max-width\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<figure class=\"main-img has-figcaption\" data-img-aspect-ratio-type=\"portrait\" data-img-aspect-ratio=\"0.71\" data-template=\"Standard Article\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"portrait\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Web: The Birth and Legacy of New York\u2019s First Asian Gay\" class=\"img\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1430854-1.jpg\" width=\"1450\" title=\"1430854-1\"><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"img-caption\"><span class=\"inner\"><span class=\"credit\">Unknown photographer \/ Chinese American Arts <span class=\"nowrap\">Council Archives<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"meta\">\n<div class=\"inner\"><span class=\"month\">November<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"day\" data-day=\"19\">19,<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"year\">2025<\/span><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"titles\">\n<div class=\"tags\">\n<div class=\"sections\"><a class=\"category vertical - art-photography\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/art-photography\">Art &amp; Photography<\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/lightbox\">Lightbox<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h1 class=\"title\"><span>\u2018A space to let your guard down\u2019: The story of NYC\u2019s first Asian <span class=\"nowrap\">gay bar<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<div class=\"standfirst\">\n<h2>From sexy pageants to illegal gay weddings, The Web explores a fascinating chapter in the city\u2019s <span class=\"nowrap\">queer history<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"month\">November<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"day\" data-day=\"19\">19,<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"year\">2025<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tags\">\n<div class=\"sections\"><a class=\"category vertical - art-photography\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/art-photography\">Art &amp; Photography<\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/lightbox\">Lightbox<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"providers\">\n<div class=\"contributors\"><span class=\"contributor\" data-contributor-role=\"Text\"><span class=\"contributor-role\">Text<\/span><a class=\"contributor-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/user\/JamesGreig\">James Greig<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article-body-container\">\n<aside class=\"primary\">\n<div class=\"sticky bottom\">\n<div class=\"read-more\"><span class=\"read-more-header\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more-items\">\n<div class=\"read-more-item vertical-life-culture\">\n<div class=\"read-more-item-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/life-culture\/article\/69029\/1\/the-sexual-history-of-the-internet-mindy-seu\" class=\"article-list-item-image\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mindy Seu\" class=\"img\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1430249-29.jpeg\" title=\"1430249-29\"><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more-item-content\"><a class=\"category\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/life-culture\">Life &amp; Culture<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/life-culture\/article\/69029\/1\/the-sexual-history-of-the-internet-mindy-seu\"><span class=\"title\">Is your phone a sex toy? Mindy Seu says yes<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"read-more-item vertical-beauty\">\n<div class=\"read-more-item-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/beauty\/article\/69093\/1\/dina-siberian-make-up-artist-shapeshifting-works-art-instagram-topblrrfc\" class=\"article-list-item-image\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Inspo art by @artbajo &#128132;\" class=\"img\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1431000-2.jpg\" title=\"1431000-2\"><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more-item-content\"><a class=\"category\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/beauty\">Beauty<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/beauty\/article\/69093\/1\/dina-siberian-make-up-artist-shapeshifting-works-art-instagram-topblrrfc\"><span class=\"title\">Dina, the Siberian make-up artist transforming into works of art<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"read-more-item vertical-life-culture\">\n<div class=\"read-more-item-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/life-culture\/article\/69100\/1\/could-bricking-my-phone-help-me-feel-more-present\" class=\"article-list-item-image\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"03 Close Up Of Bricking\" class=\"img\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1430964-2.jpeg\" title=\"1430964-2\"><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more-item-content\"><a class=\"category\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/life-culture\">Life &amp; Culture<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/life-culture\/article\/69100\/1\/could-bricking-my-phone-help-me-feel-more-present\"><span class=\"title\">Could \u2018Bricking\u2019 my phone make me feel something?<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"article-body wrapper\">\n<div class=\"dazed-gallery has-21-images \">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<header>\n<div class=\"info\"><span class=\"heading\">The Web<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"gallery\">\n<div class=\"gallery-thumbs\">\n<div class=\"gallery-thumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/art-photography\/gallery\/36325\/0\/the-web\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Web: The Birth and Legacy of New York\u2019s First Asian Gay\" class=\"img\" height=\"956\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1430858.jpg\" width=\"1434\" title=\"1430858\"><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"gallery-thumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/art-photography\/gallery\/36325\/1\/the-web\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Web: The Birth and Legacy of New York\u2019s First Asian Gay\" class=\"img\" height=\"1364\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1430876.jpg\" width=\"2046\" title=\"1430876\"><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"gallery-thumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/art-photography\/gallery\/36325\/2\/the-web\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Web: The Birth and Legacy of New York\u2019s First Asian Gay\" class=\"img\" height=\"964\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1430861.jpg\" width=\"1446\" title=\"1430861\"><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"gallery-thumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/art-photography\/gallery\/36325\/3\/the-web\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Web: The Birth and Legacy of New York\u2019s First Asian Gay\" class=\"img\" height=\"1364\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1430853.jpg\" width=\"2046\" title=\"1430853\"><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"gallery-thumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/art-photography\/gallery\/36325\/4\/the-web\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Web: The Birth and Legacy of New York\u2019s First Asian Gay\" class=\"img\" height=\"930\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1430877.jpg\" width=\"1395\" title=\"1430877\"><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"gallery-thumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/art-photography\/gallery\/36325\/5\/the-web\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Web: The Birth and Legacy of New York\u2019s First Asian Gay\" class=\"img\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1430878.jpg\" width=\"2048\" title=\"1430878\"><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallery-footer\">Gallery \/ 21 images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>From its launch in 1990 to its closure in 2013, The Web \u2013 a bar at the corner of Madison Avenue and East 58th Street \u2013 was at the heart of New York\u2019s Asian gay community, providing a refuge for people who often faced prejudice and exclusion within the mainstream gay scene. The venue organised the first Asian contingent at New York\u2019s Pride Parade, winning \u2018best float\u2019 for four consecutive years in the early 2000s, and offered a range of life-changing services, from free English lessons to gay wedding ceremonies (long before this was actually legal).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Gathering together photographs, archival materials and a new zine, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.caacarts.org\/dp\/node\/15?id=391\"><em>The Web: The Birth and Legacy of New York\u2019s First Asian Gay Bar<\/em><\/a> is a new exhibition which preserves what curator Yukai Chen describes as \u201cpowerful, unexpected stories that deserve to be remembered\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The Web was founded by Alan Chow, who was born in Taiwan and worked as an actor in Hong Kong before moving to New York in the early 1970s.<\/span><span>When he first arrived in the city, he realised there was a real need for a space like The Web. \u201cMany Asian gay men around me were searching for somewhere they could truly feel at home. Back then, a lot of us were new immigrants \u2013 many didn\u2019t speak English, myself included \u2013 and the idea of going to an American gay bar could be intimidating,\u201d Chow tells Dazed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The Web soon established itself as an important social space. \u201cWe didn\u2019t have dating apps or online communities back then, so The Web became a place where people could meet, hang out, and connect with others who shared similar experiences,\u201d says Chow. The bar also created work opportunities for Asian migrants who had recently arrived in the city. \u201cBeing a go-go dancer was a popular job \u2013 people could earn a lot in tips in one night,\u201d says Chow. \u201cBut for many, it wasn\u2019t just about money but also confidence. It was a way to be seen and appreciated in a world where Asian men often weren\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"inline-img expandable dev-view-hide\" data-img=\"35a5176b-1eb1-48ec-9cb3-b39800fae116\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/2000\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/0\/1430874.jpg\" data-img-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\" data-img-aspect-ratio=\"1.48\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Web: The Birth and Legacy of New York\u2019s First Asian Gay\" class=\"img\" height=\"1385\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1430874.jpg\" width=\"2048\" title=\"1430874\"><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"img-caption\"><span class=\"caption\">Two Go-Go Boys at the Rehearsal of the Lincoln Center&#8217;s \u201cOut of <span class=\"nowrap\">Doors Festival\u201d<\/span><\/span><span class=\"credit\">Unknown photographer \/ Chinese American Arts <span class=\"nowrap\">Council Archives<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>Chen first encountered The Web\u2019s archives when he began working at The Chinese American Arts Council (CAAC), an organisation which Chow founded in 1975. \u201cThe fact that Alan \u2013 our director \u2013 was once the owner of an Asian gay bar really fascinated me,\u201d he says. \u201cThen I learned more about his story: how after finishing work at CAAC, he would drive drag queens to The Web; how he even donated part of his earnings from the bar to CAAC to support Chinese artists.\u201d <\/span><span>By archiving and exhibiting this history, Chow and Chen want to celebrate the bar\u2019s vibrant legacy and its contributions to the Asian community. \u201cMore than that, we hope the exhibition encourages people to think about the power of community \u2013 how people come together in the face of marginalisation \u2013 and to imagine new spaces where every culture can co-exist and thrive,\u201d says Chen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The exhibition is divided into two sections: one that follows the route of The Web\u2019s parade float at New York Pride, and one which showcases archival photographs of the bar itself: pageants and parties; rehearsals for a dance performance at the Lincoln Centre and the filming of a documentary about Chinese opera, and lots of beautiful men with impossibly sculpted abs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The photos which make up the exhibition were taken from Chow\u2019s personal yearbooks, before being carefully scanned and reprinted by Yukai. \u201cSince so much time has passed, Alan doesn\u2019t remember exactly who took each photo, though he believes some of them were taken by himself,\u201d Yukai says. In an immersive touch, the space recreates part of the Web\u2019s interior design, setting up tables and chairs which mirror its restaurant layout, complete with the original menu.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"inline-img expandable dev-view-hide\" data-img=\"3392a29f-c3bc-42e7-9087-b39800faae33\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/1436\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/0\/1430858.jpg\" data-img-aspect-ratio-type=\"portrait\" data-img-aspect-ratio=\"0.7\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"portrait\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Web: The Birth and Legacy of New York\u2019s First Asian Gay\" class=\"img\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1430858-1.jpg\" width=\"1436\" title=\"1430858-1\"><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"img-caption\"><span class=\"caption\">A go-go boy performing at the Christmas <span class=\"nowrap\">theme stage<\/span><\/span><span class=\"credit\">Unknown photographer \/ Chinese American Arts <span class=\"nowrap\">Council Archives<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>The exhibition is accompanied by the publication of a new zine which serves as an oral history of The Web, based on interviews with Chow and Chen Danquing, who painted the bar\u2019s murals. \u201cDuring our conversations, we looked through the archival photos together, and they recalled stories from when The Web was alive \u2013 the people, the energy, the moments that defined it. The visuals in the zine respond directly to these memories,\u201d says Chen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>During the years he spent running The Web, what made Chow happiest was seeing how it became an anchor for so many, a place where they could feel safe and accepted. \u201cI\u2019m especially proud that [we] hosted so many gay weddings, and I even served as a witness at some of them. It was incredibly moving to see people\u2019s love and dedication to each other. Even though same-sex marriage was still illegal at the time, these ceremonies were a way to express love openly, and to show that love lifts people up, no matter the form it takes,\u201d he says. Like any bar, things could get a little messy. \u201cThere were the occasional thefts, and sometimes people got drunk and brought their arguments inside. But that was all part of its life and energy,\u201d he continues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Because The Web offered its spaces for rent, it was used by all kinds of groups, including, according to Chen, a club of millionaires who would rent it for extravagant fundraisers. \u201cThey were men from big corporations who, for one night, would put on make-up and high heels and host drag beauty pageants. I think that really captures what The Web was \u2013 a space where anyone could let their guard down and be themselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.caacarts.org\/dp\/node\/15?id=391\">The Web: The Birth and Legacy of New York\u2019s First Asian Gay Bar<\/a><em><span>is running at Gallery 456, New York, from November 14 to December 5, 2025.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"article-footer\">\n<div class=\"wrapper\">\n<div class=\"article-series\">\n<h4 class=\"heading\">More on these topics<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-series\"><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/art-photography\">Art &amp; Photography<\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/lightbox\">Lightbox<\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/tag\/exhibition\">exhibition <\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/tag\/exhibitions\">Exhibitions<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<div 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class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/art-photography\/article\/69034\/1\/aheem-by-rafael-zine-nyc-photographs-portraits-friendship-sosa-martinez\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rafael Martinez, Aheem\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1429974-11.jpg\" title=\"1429974-11\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">These photos celebrate friendship over romantic love<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/art-photography\/article\/69006\/1\/piotr-wlochyn-here-to-stay-poland-immigrants-black-culture-portraits-photographs\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Piotr W\u0142ochy\u0144, Here to Stay\" src=\"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1429923-12.jpg\" title=\"1429923-12\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">Tender portraits that celebrate Poland\u2019s Black immigrants<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p> Source URL: https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/art-photography\/article\/69103\/1\/the-web-history-new-yorks-first-asian-gay-bar-nyc-exhibition-photography-zine<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unknown photographer \/ Chinese American Arts Council Archives November\u00a0 19,\u00a0 2025 Art &amp; PhotographyLightbox \u2018A space to let your guard down\u2019: The story of NYC\u2019s first Asian gay bar From sexy pageants to illegal gay weddings, The Web explores a fascinating chapter in the city\u2019s queer history November\u00a0 19,\u00a0 2025 Art &amp; PhotographyLightbox TextJames Greig 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